MakeMyTrip invests in Bus-tech startup Bitla Software

Bitla’s clients include online ticketing portals, hoteliers, holiday tour operators and cargo and logistics companies. 

MakeMyTrip, India’s biggest online travel company, invested an undisclosed amount in Bengaluru-based Bitla Software that provides bus travel management software and technology solutions.

Bitla’s clients include online ticketing portals, hoteliers, holiday tour operators and cargo and logistics companies.

Deep Kalra, chairman and group CEO, MakeMyTrip, said: “As clear market leaders in India’s online travel for air ticketing, hotel reservations and bus bookings, we look to foster faster innovations in order to accelerate growth in these travel segments. Our latest investment in Bitla Software is aimed at providing an extensive suite of technology products and solutions for the bus and hotel supplier ecosystem, which will further strengthen our strong market position.”

Dasharatham Bitla, founder and CEO, Bitla Software, said: “With this milestone in our company, we will be able to rapidly develop and expand our suite of travel-focused technology products for our customers. Looking forward, we remain deeply committed to solving real industry problems for travel suppliers, while providing exceptional service for customers.”

MMT’s bus ticketing business has witnessed a strong momentum, with a jump of 55 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter. This is the sixth investment of MakeMyTrip in the technology space. Post its merger with Ibibo, the MakeMyTrip group, which is listed on Nasdaq, has been spending significantly on customer inducement and acquisition.

According to a recent filing by the company with Nasdaq, it said: “Marketing and sales promotion expenses increased by 19.1 percent to $93.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from $78.8 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Marketing and sales promotion expenses primarily include significant customer inducement and acquisition programme expenses incurred to accelerate growth in our standalone hotel booking business and brand advertisement expenses. The primary drivers of this year-over-year increase were the consolidation of marketing and sales promotion expenses of the Ibibo Group acquired on January 31, 2017.”